Crosby @ 24 Months

Dear Crozzie Bear,

Today you are two years old!

I held you in my arms for the first time two years ago today. You are my earth angel and I am so glad you are mine. 

Although it hurts my momma-heart a little to think that you are no longer a baby, I love the little boy you are becoming and watching you grow into your own little person is such a delight.

I have loved every minute of this last year - even the minutes in the middle of tantrums - because they were spent with you. You are the absolute light of mine and Daddy's lives. I cannot wait for you to wake up in the morning and after you go to bed, Daddy and I sit and talk about all the funny things you say and do. 

You love to read. You know all your colors, all your numbers, your ABCs, and how to spell your name. You love to sing and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "Skinnamarink", and "Row Row Row Your Boat" are your favs. You are obsessed with identifying people by their names and you know the names of everyone in your life. You love to eat and are not picky.  

I love your curious and adventurous personality, your infectious smile, your insistent determination and spirited love for life. You are so funny. I spend half of the day laughing at the things you say and do. You absolutely love being the center of attention and you love making everyone laugh. I love that about you! I want to bottle you up and keep you two right here and now at this age forever. You really are that much fun. 

You are hard to stay mad at (even when you intentionally do something I've just said no to, like dump your plate or spill a glass of water) and it’s impossible to not just pull you close and cover you in kisses. I hope you never forget what love Daddy and I feel for you. 

We have spent a lot of time outside this summer, and I've loved having the chance to see you explore and discover the world around you. You've swam, played on swing sets, played in sprinklers, eaten dirt, chewed sticks, kissed dogs, ran until you were literally falling over in exhaustion and fell in love with the "shoshen" so much that you call every natural body of water by that name. Things like potty-training and sentence-speaking and time-out are just on the horizon. There is no question in my mind that as you grow you will continue to burst upon the world with enthusiasm.

I love you so much it aches. Thank you for loving me back. Happy Birthday, my little Handsome!

Today belongs to you, and you belong to me.

Love,

Momma and Daddy

Still Fundraising

Our fundraising was not over for the season with the CF Home Run Derby!

Two weeks ago, the CF Foundation hosted its annual Taste of the Finest, honoring young professionals in our community. It was a fun evening and we appreciated the support of our friends and family who attended.

 

 

I was actually asked to speak before the live auction bid for a cure portion of the event. I was really nervous and Lance went with me for support. I shared our story about Crosby and CF, what the foundation means to us, and where we are in our pursuit of a cure. We ended with a bid for a cure, in which the crowd could place bids for their donation. The entire event raised more than last year and we are grateful to all those who participated. 

 

We have two more events on the horizon:

Arkansas Extreme Hike

September 25, 2015

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Xtreme Hike program has hikes throughout the U.S. and takes hikers through some of the most scenic trails in the nation to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis. Xtreme Hike is about reaching new heights --physically and philanthropically. It's a journey of passion, determination, and personal triumph, as much as it's an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people with cystic fibrosis.

This is the first year for the Arkansas Chapter's Xtreme Hike. It is a pledge based fundraiser and is a 16 mile one-day hike at Petit Jean Mountain and includes events at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Lance and his brother Scott are participating in the hike. If you would like to pledge support for the Crosby Show, please do so here:

http://fightcf.cff.org/site/TR/Hike/9_Arkansas_Little_Rock?team_id=41642&pg=team&fr_id=4020

Breath of Life Gala

Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 6:00 PM

The 8th Annual Breath of Life Gala is the CF Foundation’s celebration of our leaders, volunteers, families, and progress towards a cure.

The evening includes a live and silent auction, cocktail hour and plated dinner, and live music. The Gala welcomes nearly 400 guests and funds raised help support the foundation's research and patient assistance and care programs.

Lance and I will be attending. If you would like to join us, tickets can be purchased here:

https://arkansasbreathoflifegala15.eventscff.org/

We are so appreciative of the support that is shown to us by all our friends and family. One of the things that I talked about in my speech at the Taste of the Finest was that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation gave something back to our family when Crosby was diagnosed. And that something was HOPE. The CF Foundation has provided us with the therapies and medications we need for Crosby to fight his disease and the foundation is funding the research to find a cure.

Being able to see actual results of the CF Foundation is one of the things that make them unique. Their development and of treatment drugs like Kalydeco and Orkambi, has truly "added tomorrows" for so many suffering from cystic fibrosis. 

While we celebrate these breakthroughs, Crosby and 2/3rds of the CF population are not eligible for those drugs. The CF Foundation has promised that they will not stop until all individuals with CF not only have a daily cure, but a permanent cure. 

I truly believe, with all my heart, that within Crosby's lifetime we will see a cure. When you donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, you will be able to say, I was a part of that!

Love,

Carmen